Michael Wesley Gilbert

Mike was born September 28, 1948 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ to Lloyd Wesley Gilbert and Mary Margaret Henderson Gilbert. He attended grade school in Phoenix and graduated from Scottsdale Union High School in 1966. After one semester at Arizona State University, Mike decided to enlist in the US Army in 1967. He volunteered and was accepted into the Special Forces Qualifications Course at Ft. Bragg, NC. After completing the “Q” course Mike served in South Vietnam from 1969-1970 at Camp Bu Prang near Pleiku.

After Vietnam, Mike returned to the brotherhood of his Special Forces buddies at Ft. Devens, MA (10th SFGA). Mike spent 22 of 25 years in Special Forces. He retired from the Army at Ft. Lewis, WA in June 1992. Aside from a brief attendance at the Sergeants Major Academy at Ft. Bliss in 1989, Mike was assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (A) from 1984 until retirement. Mike was very proud of his military service and the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) that he earned through his military service. After retirement Mike completed his Bachelor’s Degree in History and Secondary Education at Central Washington University.

Mike was also proud of his First American heritage and ancestry. He was an enrolled member of the Mississippi Tribe of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He was raised in a bi-cultural home surrounded by his cousins and aunties from both the American Indian culture as well as the Euro-American culture.

Mike is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mitzi Bottorff Gilbert, his two children, Pamela Lynn Gilbert Buck of Tacoma, WA and James Lloyd Gilbert (Sarah) of Fitchburgh, MA. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Nalisa Buck, Kyle Buck, Melia Guillen, Sebastien Guillen, Sam Gilbert, and Luke Gilbert. Additionally Mike had many nephews and nieces, Bradley, Keith, Jim, Pat, Ben, Dory, Cheryl, Mary, Stacey, and Alicia who were all dear to his heart.

Mike was predeceased by his mother, father, sister Carol Lee Custer, brother Kenneth Wayne Gilbert, niece Susan Michelle Custer, and nephew Brian Gilbert.

Mike was a good man. He had a special kitty, Miss Kitty, who he rescued from the cold. She will be missing her nightly chin rubs. He was a brave man. He was my rock and always had my back. Mike was my special person. He was and still is the love of my life. I was blessed to have him in my life and my heart is breaking without him. “Soldier boy, oh my little soldier boy. I’ll be true to you.”

A special thanks to Shirley Alger, our adopted sister, for helping me during my time of need.

Mike’s wishes are to be cremated and his ashes scattered by a HALO jump team at Ft. Lewis. That will take place during the spring of 2019 at a celebration of life service.